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Keeping the smiles in your unit

Nurse Leader Weekly, April 14, 2008

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Nurse managers searching for ways to stop the revolving door of staff members entering and leaving their facility may not have to look very far, according to nursing experts Shelley Cohen and Lydia Ostermeier. They argue it is the subtle-and often costless-actions that can have an effect on the satisfaction of staff members, leading to long-term retention benefits.

Targeting your staff needs"You don't have to do things that are absolutely huge, whether it's in money, or in concept," said Shelley Cohen, RN, BSN, CEN, president of Health Resources Unlimited in Hohenwald, TN. "You just have to start, and you need to start with things that are focused on the needs of your particular staff."

Cohen said recognition is costless and can do wonders as a retention tool. Nurses want to feel vital to their organizations and small gestures can help them feel appreciated.

"We can put a post-it note on the nurse's locker with an individually wrapped lifesaver that says, 'You were a lifesaver staying over for 30 minutes on the nightshift, thank you so much. I knew I made the right decision to hire you,'" said Cohen.

"Relationships are key to retention," said Lydia Ostermeier, MSN, RN, CHCR, director of nurse recruitment, retention, workforce development, resource allocation, and patient visitor representatives at Clarian Health in Indianapolis, IN. Many employees choose to walk away from a job because of a lack of communication and unsatisfactory relationships. Ostermeier said managers can avoid this by keeping in contact through electronic newsletters, emails, posters, and staff meetings.

Editor's Note: This excerpt was adapted from the article Mouthing off the right way: How to keep your nurses happy, featured in the Reading Room on HCPro's new online resource center, www.StrategiesForNurseManagers.com. Interested in a free trial membership that will give you 30 days to "test drive" all the exciting features on the Web site? Click here to learn more.

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